Comparison of horse and buggy Anabaptists that are accepting of seekers

[HansMacDonald]

The Virginia Old Order Mennonites speak only english and are low tech in varying degrees, depending on which group. I don't know how welcoming they are of seekers though. If only Ave Maria was still active on the forum.

[HansMacDonald]

As I understand it, they try to practice some of the original pietistic doctrines of the original Schwarzenau Brethren. This does include a view of "eventual reconciliation" (which some would call "universal salvation").

How wonderful they still believe in universal salvation! I wonder if the Old Brethren German Baptists, the other horse and buggy group, also still believe this.

I heard that they both do, but the Camden group has had a significant number of defections of seekers to places like Delano from seekers who find out about their belief in eventual reconciliation and leave.

Bryce Geiser [spelling?] who was involved with Caneyville for a while is at the Camden group now.

I was wondering what happened to Bryce Geiser, now that Caneyville is affiliated with a Charity type group.

[JohnH]

I was wondering what happened to Bryce Geiser, now that Caneyville is affiliated with a Charity type group.

Bryce Geiser has been described to me as someone who very much likes distinctive Brethren doctrines (vs. Mennonite/Amish or general Anabaptist ones), and was generally busy trying to introduce them to Caneyville or the other place he moved to (can't remember its name). It's probably for the best he's back with a Brethren group that will appreciate his enthusiasm for Bethren doctrines.

From what I understand, Caneyville is busy transitioning to being a generic Charity type of group, such as driving around in their cars listening to Denny Kenaston's "The Godly Home" series on CD.

The Virginia Old Order Mennonites speak only english and are low tech in varying degrees, depending on which group. I don't know how welcoming they are of seekers though. If only Ave Maria was still active on the forum.

As I understand it, the Pearisburg, VA group had openness to seekers, although none are left there; my understanding is they ended up in the various Delano communities.

[HansMacDonald]

As I understand it, the Pearisburg, VA group had openness to seekers, although none are left there; my understanding is they ended up in the various Delano communities.

There used to be some families at Pearisburg, VA that were with the Believers in Christ from Lobelville. Do you know if that affiliation is still active there?

[HansMacDonald]

I was wondering what happened to Bryce Geiser, now that Caneyville is affiliated with a Charity type group.

Bryce Geiser has been described to me as someone who very much likes distinctive Brethren doctrines (vs. Mennonite/Amish or general Anabaptist ones), and was generally busy trying to introduce them to Caneyville or the other place he moved to (can't remember its name). It's probably for the best he's back with a Brethren group that will appreciate his enthusiasm for Bethren doctrines.

Bryce Geiser used to be a bishop with the original Christian Communities in Cookeville, TN.

[JohnH]

As I understand it, the Pearisburg, VA group had openness to seekers, although none are left there; my understanding is they ended up in the various Delano communities.

There used to be some families at Pearisburg, VA that were with the Believers in Christ from Lobelville. Do you know if that affiliation is still active there?

No, the BIC operation there folded up. As I understand it, many of the families matriculated to Delano.

[HansMacDonald]

As I understand it, the Pearisburg, VA group had openness to seekers, although none are left there; my understanding is they ended up in the various Delano communities.

There used to be some families at Pearisburg, VA that were with the Believers in Christ from Lobelville. Do you know if that affiliation is still active there?

No, the BIC operation there folded up. As I understand it, many of the families matriculated to Delano.

Ok, interesting.


The Pearisburg Amish church was affiliated with Scottsville and Delano for a while years ago, but then they left and joined with the Manton, MI and Smyrna and Unity, ME orbit of churches.

[JohnH]

There used to be some families at Pearisburg, VA that were with the Believers in Christ from Lobelville. Do you know if that affiliation is still active there?

No, the BIC operation there folded up. As I understand it, many of the families matriculated to Delano.

Ok, interesting.


The Pearisburg Amish church was affiliated with Scottsville and Delano for a while years ago, but then they left and joined with the Manton, MI and Smyrna and Unity, ME orbit of churches.

Yes - from what I understand, they still feel warm fellowship between each other. It is mostly a manner of being “Amish” vs “Mennonite” as a culture, along Delano trying out some different approaches to things (such as not having church attend weddings at Charity etc churches, avoiding solar fence chargers, etc) vs the different approach those Amish groups have taken. As I understand it marriage between the two groups would be acceptable as would families moving between the two groups.

I foresee a trip to Maine in October so maybe I’ll make it up there.

[Valerie]

No, the BIC operation there folded up. As I understand it, many of the families matriculated to Delano.

Ok, interesting.


The Pearisburg Amish church was affiliated with Scottsville and Delano for a while years ago, but then they left and joined with the Manton, MI and Smyrna and Unity, ME orbit of churches.

Yes - from what I understand, they still feel warm fellowship between each other. It is mostly a manner of being “Amish” vs “Mennonite” as a culture, along Delano trying out some different approaches to things (such as not having church attend weddings at Charity etc churches, avoiding solar fence chargers, etc) vs the different approach those Amish groups have taken. As I understand it marriage between the two groups would be acceptable as would families moving between the two groups.

I foresee a trip to Maine in October so maybe I’ll make it up there.

Will you be visiting Smyrna Mills or Unity when you go? I always wanted to visit there. Had a friend that lived there but left - but I remember while he was there he met a 60 yo divorcee visiting the area from Boston. He convinced her to seek the Smyrna Mills Amish. She wrote the Bishop about it. Bishop suggested she come to the community for 2 weeks & stay with 3 families & then go home & pray about it. Well she lived it, moved to Smyrna Mills Amish community & eventually was baptized Amish. I wonder about her from time to time. She’d be in her 70s by now (I think was legally blind too)

I’m impressed JohnH I was going to add the ME communities as I knew they were seeker friendly but you beat me! And you are right I remember hearing that one of the Amish members would not attend. I think it was his brother’s wedding who had gone to Charity because they were Charity.

[barnhart]

Which groups do not accept seekers?